Bird Island (Niao Dao) on the western shore of Qinghai Lake is the most important bird breeding site on the Tibetan Plateau, hosting over 100,000 migratory waterbirds from May through September. Bar-headed geese, brown-headed gulls, great cormorants, and several species of terns nest on two small islands just off the shore. The spectacle at peak season — the noise, the movement, the sheer density of birds — is one of the more extraordinary wildlife experiences in China.
The site is within a national nature reserve. A raised boardwalk leads along the lakeside past the main nesting areas, allowing close views without disturbing the birds. Binoculars are worth carrying. Entry is included in the main Qinghai Lake scenic area ticket (around 100 yuan). The best time to visit is May and June when nesting is at its most active; by August many birds have already departed for their wintering grounds.